Message from Keith Birmingham 27 Aug 2007, referring to Emily Hessom's possible marriage to William Ramsden, and his household in the 1891 census.
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Stephen

I am glad you contacted me!! Your last find is extraordinary.

William Ramsden is not unknown to me - in fact I know a lot about him.

He had been a Ship's Steward and he lived at 21 Exmouth St Everton which was only a few doors away from the Grocery shop that George Hessom's (my grandfather) widow Ellen Hessom ran until her death in 1930. Now this is the strange bit, mum used to describe him as an old man her mum used to look out for with shopping etc. I've spoken again to my sister and we are sure that mum never ever said that he was her fathers step-father!

In fact she told us that because of her mother's kindness he let George be interred in his family plot at West Derby Cemetery where his wife was already buried. If what you say is confirmed George was buried with his mother! How thick I am I not to question his generosity?

I did look at the Cemetery Records back in 1995/6 and I found that there are 4 people now there Section 5 Grave 279.

Emily Ramsden Interred 4 July 1901 Age 54 Mabel Hessom in 1 September 1910 Aged 1 George Hessom in 10 December 1913 Aged 43

and finally William Coop Ramsden in 27 November 1935 Aged 80.

I did try to find Emily and family in 1891 and 1901 but only searching on the children's names. I assume that Alfred H Ramsden is your wife's Alfred James? Did they change their names automatically when their mother remarried in those days. I would have thought their relationship would have been put down as stepson or stepdaughter. I can only guess that George and Joseph must have been at sea.

If William's and Emily's marriage cert confirms it - which I'm sure it will I will order her death cert.

Your other question about Keig was not my own research - I got it off a contact from Genes Reunited. I'll look up what they said and get back to you.

Thanks again.

Keith
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